MIT’s current academic calendar took shape when faculty approved it in 1994. Among the changes instituted at that time was an expansion of Independent Activities Period (IAP) by half a week and the lengthening of time between the end of finals and Commencement to two weeks.

Over time, members of the community have complained that Commencement is too late, occurring on June 9 in some years.

Changes in this schedule could address the various concerns and lead to benefits to students, faculty, and staff, but also present potential downsides

With that in mind, we are seeking feedback from the MIT community about a proposal to change the academic calendar, including moving the Commencement and hooding ceremonies into late May for most years.

Note: Any change to the calendar would not go into effect until Academic Year 2019-2020 at the earliest.

* Required

Please tell us your role at MIT. *

Undergraduate student

Graduate student

Faculty member

Staff member

Postdoc / research staff

Indicate your level of preference among these possible options of changing the academic calendar and Commencement timing. *

strongly preferred

preferred

neutral

not preferred

strongly not preferred

Option 1: Remove the final day of IAP classes and instead begin Spring classes on that day (i.e. IAP ends on Thursday and Spring semester begins on Friday).

Option 2: Reduce the Patriots’ Day holiday to a 3-day-weekend and hold classes on the Tuesday.

Option 3: Use a Saturday as one of the four days of final exams.

strongly preferred

preferred

neutral

not preferred

strongly not preferred

Option 1: Remove the final day of IAP classes and instead begin Spring classes on that day (i.e. IAP ends on Thursday and Spring semester begins on Friday).

Option 2: Reduce the Patriots’ Day holiday to a 3-day-weekend and hold classes on the Tuesday.

Option 3: Use a Saturday as one of the four days of final exams.

What do you view as the positives of the proposed changes to the academic calendar / Commencement timing?

Your answer

What do you view as the negatives of the proposed changes to the academic calendar / Commencement timing?